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She stared a long time at the document, a draft of many pages. Her eyes would not focus properly and she neither could nor would make out the words that some scribe had indited in the most elegant of calligraphy. Wife to Calain? It seemed almost monstrous to her, a shattering of all proprieties, a stepping beyond every boundary. And yet— and yet—
He waited. She could not refuse.
In the morning he departed in the Coronal's entourage for Piliplok, and all that day Inya
11
When the period of mourning was over and she had an opportunity to make arrangements for such matters, Inya
Some years later, while visiting the shops of the Gossamer Galleria, the Lady Inya
Inya
The thieves looked at one another in alarm. The taller one said, "Milady, you are mistaken. My name is Elakon-Mirj, and my friend is called Thanooz."
"These days, perhaps. But when you visited Velathys long ago you went by other names. I see that you've graduated from swindling to thievery, eh? Tell me this: how many heirs to Nissimorn Prospect did you discover, before the game grew dull?"
Now there was panic in their eyes. They seemed to be calculating the chances of making a break past Inya
The shorter thief, trembling, said, "We are honest merchants, milady, and nothing else."
"You are incorrigible scoundrels," said Inya
"Milady—"
"Speak the truth," Inya
Through chattering teeth the taller one replied, "We admit the charge. But it was long ago. If we have injured you, we will make full restitution."
"Injured me? Injured me?" Inya
Inya
TEN
Voriax and Valentine
Of all the vicarious lives Hissune has experienced In the Register of Souls, that of Inya